A.S. Hornby Educational Trust

The Trust is dedicated to the teaching and to all teachers, of the English language

Call for applications for the 2025/26 Refugee Scholarship is now OPEN!

The Trust

The A.S. Hornby Educational Trust is a UK charity that promotes English Language Teaching (ELT). It was founded in 1961 by A.S. Hornby who created the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, and since then royalties from the dictionary have funded its activity.

The Trust supports the professional development of ELT teachers from the Global South via scholarships and grants, and via the A.S. Hornby Dictionary Research Awards. Much of its work has been in partnership with the British Council.

Our values

  • We are inclusive and collaborative, fostering a culture where diverse perspectives thrive, and collective efforts drive positive change in the teaching and learning of English language.
  • We empower and encourage our partners to deliver teaching and learning approaches relevant to their own environments and settings.
  • We ensure that our activities are relevant and contextually appropriate, allowing our participants and partners to shape, align and deliver on common goals and desired outcomes.
  • We ensure that all our activities are targeted, meaningful, relevant and impactful to our participants’ and partners.
  • We ensure that commitment, trust, and integrity are the foundation of our governance and all our activities.
  • We foster creativity, collaboration and we celebrate success and achievement.

Our charitable aims

The advancement of the study of English as a foreign language and the teaching of English as a foreign language.

Charity Commission website

Hornby Scholarships

Our Masters in ELT scholarships in partnership with the University of Exeter.

Hornby Projects, Awards & Grants

Our projects in partnership with Teacher Associations and researchers.

Hornby Initiatives

Our work in the area of Decentring ELT and the History of ELT.

Hornby Alumni

Our alumni and the professional development we offer them.

Recent News and Announcements

View the latest news and announcements from the Hornby Trust.

MEd TESOL scholarship for Refugees now open

Call for papers for the First Hornby Alumni Conference: Global Connect (online) 6 & 7 June

Call for Papers Founded in 1961 by A.S. Hornby, the A.S. Hornby Educational Trust have been supporting English language teachers from around South Globe to...

The call for applications for the 2025-26 Refugee MEd TESOL Scholarship is open!

The Hornby Trust is offering a MEd TESOL scholarship, in partnership with University of Exeter, to support the teaching of English to refugees. This is...

Apply now for ASHDRA project funding, 2025

The call for proposals for ASHDRA project funding has opened! Through these annual awards we aim to facilitate innovative research into areas of lexicography and...

The call for applications for the 2025-2026 scholarships for international ELT professionals has now CLOSED

Do you think you have what it takes to become a Hornby scholar? Applications for the prestigious Hornby scholarships are open.   The A.S. Hornby...

Evaluation of programme impact: consultants sought

The Trust wishes to appoint consultants to evaluate the impact of its work. The activities of the Trust focus on enhancing the teaching and learning of...

Excellent results for our 2023-24 scholars

Congratulations! An amazing 6 Distinctions and 2 Merits!                                   ...

All change at the Hornby Trust

We have had quite a busy year of change here at Hornby, with exciting new additions to the Hornby team.           ...

The first Hornby scholar from Papua New Guinea

Mum of two, Tusa Yamagu, 34, a lecturer at the Papua New Guinea Education Institute, teaching English to in-service teachers.     Tusa says that...

From scholar to the Trust’s new Chair

The Hornby Trust welcomed a new Chair, Harry Kuchah Kuchah at the helm in September 2024.                   ...

The 2024-2025 scholars have arrived!

The Hornby Trustees are delighted to welcome the 2024-2025 cohort of scholars. On 6 November six Trustees travelled to Exeter University to welcome the scholars....

Upcoming Events

Hornby Master’s TESOL scholarships: information and briefing webinar
From : 28 January 2025

Hornby Master’s TESOL scholarships: information and briefing webinar

There was a briefing webinar for intending Hornby scholarship applicants on Tuesday 28 January, to clarify the trust's expectations and respond to questions about the...

Hornby Alumni Conference
From : 6 June 2025
To: 7 June 2025

Hornby Alumni Conference

Join us for the first Hornby Alumni Conference  6 and 7 June 2025 This Conference aims to bring together Hornby alumni from all cohorts between...

2024-2025 scholars to speak at IATEFL
From : 8 April 2025

2024-2025 scholars to speak at IATEFL

Our 2024-2025 scholars who have very recently arrived in the UK and are no doubt trying to acclimatise to the weather have already started preparing...